The David Bach Blog

See David LIVE at the Go Green Expo, April 26-27, 2008

I am really excited to be a keynote speaker at the Go Green Expo, New York City's largest Eco-Friendly Event. There will be dozens of interactive seminars and speeches, an eco-film festival, an eco-fashion show and a variety of hands on demonstrations. Go Green's Expo's goal is to introduce green vendors to consumers and business owners intending to becoming more environmentally conscious. We will educate you on the increasing number of eco-friendly choices available for daily living and business. I personally will teach you simple things you could do that not only protect the Earth but also protect your pocket book. So come and join us on April 26-27, 2008 at the Hilton, New York, 1335 Avenue of the Americas. For more information go to www.gogreenexpo.com

Habitat For Humanity NYC Raises One Million Dollars!

I am so pleased to be able to share such exciting news with you all...

Last week I had the honor of co-chairing and hosting the Habitat For Humanity NYC's 8th Annual Builder Awards Gala and I am extremely proud to announce that we have achieved our goal of raising one million dollars, the MOST money ever raised by the New York City Chapter!

The event was a sellout with more than 600 people packing the stunning location, The Cathedral of Saint John The Devine in Harlem.

As the emcee for the night, I had the pleasure of meeting many of the award recipients, including the Ansah Family (pictured below), who were honored with the Family Partner of the Year Award.

I want to tell you a little bit about the Ansah's, because their story is truly remarkable...

Almost two years ago, Sam and Esther Ansah sent Habitat-NYC an application, with a desperate plea attached "I just had quadruplets...and I occupy a one-bedroom apartment!"

When the Ansah's were accepted for a three-bedroom condo in Habitat's renovated building in the South Bronx, the challenges were just beginning.  Sam held down a day job and worked weekends building the family's home, while Esther cared for the babies.  Neighbors pitched in, helping the Ansah's meet their 600 sweat-equity hours.

Once in their new home, the Ansah family continued to go from strength to strength, assuming a leadership role in their condo association.

Since then, one of their babies, little Nora, has been ill and in the hospital for the past month.

Our prayers are with her and our hearts go out to this amazing family, who's inspiring story is exactly what Habitat For Humanity is all about and why I love being a part of it all.

Live and Finish Rich,

David Bach

 

Something to think about...

A friend of mine just sent me this link- it has been such a busy week but this really gave me perspective and reminded me that we shouldn't take ourselves so seriously all the time.  Our world is big and not always fair...http://www.lucasgray.com/video/peacetrain.html

THE FINISHRICH NEWSLETTER - November 7, 2007

**To those members of the FinishRich Community whose lives were impacted by the California wildfires, my thoughts remain with you.**

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1. Smart Women Finish Rich... and Live Rich
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A decade after I set out to write my very first book, Smart Women Finish Rich, I was given the honor to speak on October 23rd at The California Governor and First Lady's Conference on Women. I shared my message of how women can effectively manage money to Live and Finish Rich. The day, as a whole, gathered 14,000 women (and men) to celebrate the empowerment, past achievements and future successes of women, not only in the great state of California—but throughout the world.

A highlight of the day for me personally was the opportunity to present, along with Wells Fargo, a check for $50,000 to WaterKeeper Alliance, an organization whose mission to preserve our water I strongly support. I have attached a picture of me with Laura Schulte from Wells Fargo presenting the check to Steve Fleischli, President of WaterKeeper Alliance and Sherise Parker from Santa Monica Baykeeper.

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2. Seven Things to Know About Health Savings Accounts
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Whether you're an employee being faced with new health insurance options through your company plan, run your own company like me, or purchase individual health insurance, the choices you make regarding your health insurance are an important part of your 2008 financial strategy.

Last month, I spent some time looking into health insurance options for my small group of employees and myself. It was an unsettling exercise as I reviewed the various plans and calculated the increase in premiums (which, according to Hewitt Associates, are set to rise an average of 8.7 percent this year).

Around the same time, I caught an episode of ABC's "20/20" that profiled the success popular grocery chain Whole Foods has had with the health savings accounts (HSAs) they offer their employees. After watching the show, I decided to do a little more digging to see if an HSA might make sense here at FinishRich Media.

To continue reading about HSAs and the seven things you've got to know click here.

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3. See David Live! Mark Your Calendar
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While 2007 is winding down, the beginning of 2008 is right around the corner. It is a busy time of year for all of us so I want to point out a few important dates that are coming up.

November 17-18, 2007
New York, NY
The Learning Annex Real Estate & Wealth Expo
I have been touring the country with Donald Trump and Anthony Robbins and NYC is one of our last stops for 2007. Click here to register and get the special $99 offer!

November 28, 2007
5:00pm EST
Join me LIVE for this free telecoaching call where I'll be answering your questions
Dial in (512) 879-2222 Access code: 879089#

And to help you get a jump start 2008...

January 12, 2008
Los Angeles, CA
David Bach's Finish Rich Investor Workshop
Together with KFWB NEWS 980 (CBS Radio) I have created a powerful one day coaching session at the incredible Orpheum Theatre. Space is limited so go click here to reserve your spot.

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4. Special Offer from Dean Graziosi
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Recently I had the chance to review the book "Be a Real Estate Millionaire: Secret Strategies for Lifetime Wealth Today" written by Dean Graziosi. This unique book reveals how to read ANY real estate market, and apply the proper strategy to profit and minimize risk. It shows you how to make money now, in today's market, and even gives you a market analysis test so you can know exactly where your market is, where its going and what strategy to use –forever.

A broke kid who barely finished high school, Dean made his first real estate purchase in his teens, without any experience or capital, and spent the next 20 years doing deal after deal. Today, at 38, he is a multi-millionaire investor with a heart for sharing his secrets.

On October 8th his book was already #1 in Investments, Industries & Professions on Amazon. Dean is offering my readers an outrageous one time special. Get his book and receive dozens and dozens of FREE BONUSES from some amazing people! Plus something I have surely not seen anyplace else- the chance to win $15,000 of his money to invest, and Dean will fly to your location for a day of training to walk you though your deal. Click here for more info.

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5. Get Results with The FinishRich Coaching Program
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The FinishRich Coaching Program was launched a little over two months ago and already the reviews are fantastic! Those that are enrolling are not only finding that the program is meeting their expectations, but also beyond. They are truly learning how to manage their finances and increase their savings thanks to the personalized, one on one approach. Go to FinishRich Coaching Program is designed so that you are able to get personalized mentoring with specific solutions for your individual needs. Click here for more details.

Your coach will hold you accountable for staying on track as they guide you through the program with all the information, motivation and encouragement that you'll need for success.

The great part of this program is that it doesn't just end with the personalized mentoring. You also have access to the FinishRich Coaching Success Center. Here there are amazing resources, videos, weekly group coaching calls, and even more- - including a monthly, live coaching call with me.

Click here for more information on how to enroll. Once you submit your contact information, one of our FinishRich advisors will call you personally to explain all the details and help you determine if one-on-one coaching is right for you.

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6. Get Exclusive Benefits at MyFinishRich.com
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MyFinishRich.com is my all new MEMBERS-ONLY site that was created based on the feedback and questions I have received from you over the past years. If you have not had a chance to take a look at it yet, I encourage you to do so. You will find EVERYTHING you need to know to get yourself, and keep yourself, on the path to financial freedom. The site is packed with amazing tools in many different areas including:

- Personal finance
- Real estate
- The Stock Market
- Entrepreneurship
- E-commerce

Sign up NOW- you'll get a FREE 14 day trial period!

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7. Find Your Latte Factor Today
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The Automatic Money Manager is a secure, online tool that basically provides you with a dashboard of all your financial accounts. By viewing your daily, itemized transactions, you can automatically track all of your money--including revenue coming in and expenses being paid out.

It also allows you to pay your bills online and get an instant snapshot of your net worth--all at the click of a button.

Click here to try The Automatic Money Manager FREE for the first 30 Days.

This online program (there's no software to download) gives you access to your accounts any time, anywhere--even on your mobile device. Use it to
automatically:

- Pay yourself first
- Track all of your purchases
- Manage your credit card spending
- Pay off your debt
- Find your Latte Factor
- Plan for retirement
- And so much more!

Don't wait any longer to take control of your finances. Start Today!

And be sure to let us know how you like it. We value your opinion and look forward to hearing what you think. Send us an email with your feedback by clicking here.

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8. Stay Updated with David Bach's Blog
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Click here to subscribe to my blog's RSS feed for quick and easy access to new postings, including my newsletter.

Until next time...

Live and Finish Rich,

David Bach and The FinishRich Team

Do You Own the DJIA?

Have you been paying attention to the stock market lately? The Dow Jones Industrial Average, often called the Dow, has broken into record territory. In July, it hit a record of over 14,000. While it’s slid back to the high 13,000s it is still up about 5,000 points in the last five years alone.

Here's my tip to you today: own the Dow. It's simple, and it's not expensive to do. To buy the Dow, invest in an index fund, specifically an exchanged traded mutual fund that invests in the Dow. My choice is what's called the DIAMONDS. The stock symbol is DIA and it's an IShare. I own these in my own retirement account.

California Wildfires -- How You Can Help

I had a phenomenal time yesterday at The Women's Conference in Long Beach, California. Thank you to all of the many amazing women (and men) who attended.

While I wasn't affected directly by the wildfires, it was a big topic of discussion among both Californians and those of us from out of town -- I feel a part of both groups, since I was born and raised in California although I currently call New York City home.  So, today I'm thinking about what I can do to help, and maybe you are, too. 

The American Red Cross is a great place to start. To make monetary donations or volunteer your time, please contact your local Red Cross chapter. You can find your local chapter by visiting www.redcross.org and entering your zip code at the top of the page. Their website includes more details regarding the Southern California wildfires and what the Red Cross is doing to help.

Smart Women LIVE Rich

Statistics show that women are starting businesses at a rate of three times that of men and for different reasons too. Women start businesses in order to achieve freedom, control and flexibility more than they do for money. Women also have the unique talent for building communities that support them in their success.

If you're a woman with a business idea who dreams of living and finishing rich, visit LadiesWhoLaunch.com. From networking to funding, the help you need to grow your ideas and start a business of your own is out there.

Speaking of smart women, today I'll be speaking at The Women's Conference -- an annual event hosted by the California Governor and First Lady. And you can join me, Arnold, Maria and a really impressive line up of phenomenal speakers LIVE via Webcast. Use the link above to check it out.

Tax Breaks for Homeowners

Owning a home is still the surest way I know to build wealth -- regardless of short-term dips in local real estate markets. Most homes continue to increase in value as the mortgage is paid down and equity goes up. When your home appreciates, our government allows you to keep potentially all the profit, tax free.

Under current tax law, if you sell the home you live in, you don't have to pay any taxes on the first $250,000 profit if you're single -- or the first $500,000 profit if you're married. You simply must have lived in the house you're selling for two of the previous five years. This incredible tax free gift from the government used to be a one-time tax benefit -- now you can do it every two years.

Today's FinishRich Tip: Get Out of Debt -- Double Your Minimum Payments

Over the last year, I've been a featured expert on Oprah's Debt Diet series. Our mission has been to help America get out of debt. Many people now stop me and ask, "David, how do I know if I have a credit card problem?"

My simple rule of thumb is that if you’re only making the minimum payments on your bills each month, you have a problem. Make just the minimum payments and it can take forty years to get out of credit card debt! Double your minimum payments and you could be out of debt, in most cases, in less than five years. So, check your credit card statements today -- are you only making minimum payments?

Today's FinishRich Tip: Get a Will

Statistics suggest that 70% of adults die without a will. If you don't have a will, you've just decided to let the government determine who gets your money and potentially custody of your children when you die. Don't make this mistake. Get a will today.

To do it yourself, you can go to a website like NOLOPRESS.com which has great do-it-yourself resources. Or better yet, hire a professional attorney--in most cases it will cost you less than $1,000--well worth the peace of mind of having it done right. If you already have a will, pull it out this week and review it to make sure it's up to date.

Today's FinishRich Tip: Money Advice for Couples

Good money management can improve your marriage. A recent poll by Harris Interactive found that one quarter of couples would rather their partners be honest about their finances than their fidelity, yet 29% lied about spending. After meeting with hundreds of couples, I have some tips to help your finances and your marriage. You each need your own bank account and credit card. Open a joint account for bills, and decide together who will physically pay them. Understand exactly how much money comes in and where it goes.

Today's FinishRich Tip: Save on Car Insurance

I've got a simple tip today that can potentially save you hundreds of dollars a year on your car insurance: Shop around for a better deal! How do you do it? Just go online. Check out websites like netquote.com or even geico.com.

Lots of people that have tried it saved hundreds of dollars on their car insurance, including my assistant Liz who saved over $800 just by taking the ten or fifteen minutes it take to shop around. Now what do I want you to do with that savings? Put it in your retirement account!

Today's FinishRich Tip: Stop Junk Mail

Last year over 6 billion credit card offers were mailed out in the U.S. You might receive several of these offers a day -- along with all the other junk mail you've got to sort through. Remember, it's not enough to simply throw these applications in the trash. You've got to shred them first to protect yourself from identity theft.

Better yet, if you want to stop the credit card companies from mailing you applications altogether and you're willing to give up other unsolicited mail like catalogues and such, go to The Direct Marketing Association's website at www.dmachoice.org and complete their online form. It will take you off all the junk mail lists.

Today's FinishRich Tip: Be a Giver

Here's a way for you to feel like a millionaire right away, even though it may be years before you actually become one. Be a giver as well as a saver. Although you should give simply for the sake of giving, the reality is that abundance tends to flow back to those who give -- bringing more joy, more love, more wealth and more meaning into our lives. Givers attract abundance into their lives rather than scarcity. So live abundantly. Find an organization you care about and give back. A great place to start is at www.give.org.

Today's FinishRich Tip: Bi-Weekly Mortgages

Do you have a 30-year mortgage? The problem with a 30-year mortgage is that it's designed to make you spend 30 years paying it off! Say you buy a home with a $300,000 mortgage at 7%. Paying it off over 30 years will wind up costing you close to $720,000. But, call your lender and sign up for a bi-weekly mortgage plan -- you'll cut the term of your loan by 7 years and save $106,000 in interest! How? Instead of making your monthly payment once a month, use a bi-weekly mortgage plan to pay half every two weeks. By year's end you've paid the equivalent of 13 monthly payments instead of 12.

Today's FinishRich Tip: Teach Your Child How to Save

Did you know that Madison Avenue is courting your kids? Well of course you did, and with good reason: children between the ages of 3 and 11 control more than $18 billion in household spending, according to data from market research firm Packaged Facts. If kids are old enough to ask for things at the store, then they're old enough to start learning money basics. We live in a world of instant gratification. Teach your kids that if you want to buy something, they have to save their money to pay for it. It's a simple lesson but can change your child's life.

Today's FinishRich Tip: Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity

Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity has helped build more than 200,000 homes for more than a million people in 3,000 communities worldwide. In the U.S., Habitat for Humanity builds or renovates homes, then helps low-income families buy them with no-interest loans and low down payments. As a volunteer, you literally raise the frames and pound the nails to help build a home for a family in need. So, consider giving something back. Find out how you can help by visiting habitat.org.

Today's FinishRich Tip: Cell Phone Security

Did you know that if you lose your cell phone, you're responsible for any charges up until the time you report the loss to your wireless carrier? This is unbelievable. Unlike a credit card, cellular contracts are not required to limit liability for fraudulent charges. So guard your cell phone like you would your wallet, like you would your credit card. If it's lost or stolen, notify your carrier immediately--noting the agent's name and the time and date of the call. If you're not able to work out a dispute with your carrier, contact the FCC, your State Attorney Generals Office and the Public Utilities Commission for help. For more about cell phone security, check out my Yahoo! Finance article on the topic.

Today's FinishRich Tip: Your Homeowner's Insurance Policy

USA Today reported that the annual cost of a homeowner's insurance policy has increased 46% over the past five years! Save money on your premium by first comparing rates at sites like insure.com. Shopping around can save you hundreds of dollars right off the bat! Next, save another 15% by having both your car insurance and homeowner's policy with one insurer. And lastly, consider raising your deductible. According to the Consumer Federation of America, raising your deductible from $200 to $1,000 can save you up to 20% off your annual premiums.

Listen in on My Coaching Call with The Learning Annex

Earlier this week, I did a live telecoaching call with the Learning Annex. It was a great call and I'd like to invite you to listen to the recording by clicking here.

Listen in as I cover:

• Emergency Funds: The best choices for putting money aside for your family's emergency funds
• Mortgage vs. IRA: For people over 40 (and those who plan to be)
• Limited Incomes : The #1 recommendation for anyone on a limited income to start a retirement nest egg (even those who might think it's too late)
• Owning vs. Renting: Is it better to buy a home with no money down or rent?
• Paying Off Debt: (the answer will surprise you)
• Financial Advice: From the young single to couples over 55 years who want to know (and avoid) the biggest mistakes people have made in the past

Click here to listen to the recording. Enjoy!

Today's FinishRich Tip: Let the PBGC Find Your Lost Pension

Have you lost track of your pension? The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) recently announced that approximately 133 million dollars in pension benefits have been left unclaimed. The PBGC is the federal agency that insures private pension plans, and it offers an interactive tool on their website for people who may have lost track of a pension earned during their career.

Visit PBGC.gov where you can search to see if you're one of the 32,000 people who are owed money. Avoid becoming a missing pension plan participant by keeping a permanent file of pension information received throughout your career and notifying past employers whenever you move or change names.

Habitat for Humanity- NYC

Hello FinishRich Community,

As many of you know, I have been an active supporter of Habitat for Humanity- NYC for the past two years.  I currently serve as a member of the board and believe very strongly in their efforts to develop green building capacity which will enable the creation of healthier, sustainable homes.  There have been a variety of projects around the NYC area that have become homes to so many. 

I have had the privilege of hearing, first hand, many heartwarming stories about the great impact Habitat- NYC has had on families.  With this in mind, I invite you to please support Habitat- NYC with me.  Please know that your generosity and thoughts are greatly appreciated.  Please click here for more information.

Live and Finish Rich,

David Bach

Today's FinishRich Tip: Be Smart About Your Car Loan

The average car loan today extends to 70 months--up from 62 last year. Some car loans last for seven, eight, or even nine years--which means that car buyers are likely to owe more on their loan than their car is actually worth!

Be a smart consumer and consider the total cost when purchasing a vehicle, rather than just looking at your monthly payment amount. If you've got to take out a six-year loan on a car in order to afford the monthly payment, chances are you can't afford the car.

Today's FinishRich Tip: Get Debit Card Savvy

Using a debit card is convenient and can keep you from racking up debt, but there are risks. If your debit card information is ever stolen, thieves have direct access to your bank account. My tip today: Call your bank and find out the liability policy specifically for your debit card.

Ask what your liability is when your debit card is used for PIN-based transactions versus signature-based transactions. Your bank requires you to report fraudulent debit card use within a certain time limit, ranging from 2 to 60 days. If you don't, you can be liable for the entire amount of the purchase. So, while you're at it, ask your bank how long you have to report fraud.

Today's FinishRich Tip: Learn More About the FHA

With mortgage delinquency and defaults on the rise, subprime borrowers will find it increasingly difficult to get approved for a mortgage loan. One alternative is to consider applying for a loan backed by the Federal Housing Administration.

Since 1934, the FHA has helped more than 30 million people become homeowners. They don't lend money directly, rather they guarantee loans--which makes lenders more willing to provide loans to subprime borrowers. To learn more about FHA loans and to find an FHA approved lender, visit their website at FHA.gov.

For the latest news about the subprime housing crisis, check out my recent Yahoo! Finance column about President Bush's new proposal.

Today's FinishRich Tip: Don't Leave Your Retirement Savings Behind

When you leave a company where you've been contributing to a 401(k) plan, don't lose control of your money by leaving your retirement savings behind. Employers change plans, businesses shut down, and if you die, your beneficiary could face some serious roadblocks in tracking your money down through your old company.

Instead, call your old company's HR department and tell them that you want to do what's called an IRA rollover (which preserves the tax-advantaged status of your savings). Your former employer will then transfer your retirement funds either to a new custodial IRA that you've set up at a bank or brokerage firm, or to the 401(k) plan at your new place of employment.

This is especially important if your balance is below $5,000. If that's the case, employers have the right to automatically cash you out and mail you a check. Don't let that happen! Not only will it erase all your hard work in saving for the future, but you'll get your balance minus 20% for federal tax withholding -- plus, if you're under age 55, you'll also get hit with an additional 10% penalty for touching your retirement savings early.

Today's FinishRich Tip: Reduce Your Utility Bill

The next time you take a vacation, here's a tip to reduce your utility bill while you're away. Before you leave, unplug everything that you can. This includes your computer, TV, washer, dryer -- even your cable box and cable modem. Why? Because appliances that are off but still plugged in, believe it or not, continue to use energy.

In fact, according to the government's Energy Star program, in the average home, 40% of all electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are actually turned OFF. So be smart, conserve energy and save money: Unplug everything you can before you take off on vacation!

David's Redbook Q&A Column

Are you thinking about paying down credit card debt with a home equity line of credit?  If so- Download redbookOct07.pdf  to find just what David's thoughts are on this.

Yahoo! Finance - A Challenge for Your Retirement Plan

Summer is over, the kids are in school, and the rest of us are back at the office.

With only a few pages left on the calendar, September is the perfect time to make sure you're on track to fully fund your retirement plan at work. Maxing it out should be your goal.

A Challenge to the Underfunded

The truth is, people simply aren't saving enough right now to support themselves in retirement. In fact, last month the Center for Retirement Research showed that almost 45 percent of American households will fall short of meeting their expected retirement income needs.

What's worse is that the 2007 Retirement Confidence Survey from the Employment Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) reports more than half of Americans have less than $25,000 in their retirement accounts.

Click here to read more of my bi-weekly article on Yahoo! Finance.

Join David Bach for a LIVE coaching call: Thursday, October 4th

Last week we introduced our brand new member's only website at MyFinishRich.com.

To officially kick off the new program, I'm inviting you to join me LIVE for a FREE one-hour group coaching call: Thursday, October 4th at 8:30 pm eastern.

During this one hour group coaching call, I'll be talking about:

• What you can do to take advantage of the current economic uncertainty

• What sectors of the market make sense to look at and what to avoid

• The real estate market and what you absolutely need to do right now if you have an adjustable rate mortgage

I'll also cover:

• Paying Yourself First - the secret to living and finishing rich

And finally:

• I'll be taking YOUR questions Live during the call!

To join us, simply dial in to: (512) 879-2222 and enter Access Code: 879089#

Mark your calendar. We hope to see you there!

September 24, 2007 Today's FinishRich Tip: Simple Green Tips for Home Sellers...and Everyone Else

Green is in! Did you know that Eco-friendly features can help make your home more attractive to buyers? A few inexpensive improvements can actually transform your home to one that is environmentally friendly. Start by replacing all your incandescent light bulbs with energy saving fluorescent ones. Then swap out your traditional showerheads and sink faucets with water saving alternatives. Use non-toxic paint to spruce up the walls. If you're going to be replacing windows or appliances, be sure to choose those with an energy star label.

September 21, 2007 Today's FinishRich Tip: Increase Your Retirement Plan Contribution

Thanks to last year's Pension Protection Act, employers can now automatically enroll new workers into the company 401(k) plan. Although your employer is allowed to set aside up to ten percent of your paycheck for your retirement, most plans will only defer around three percent. My tip for today: If your employer enrolls you automatically, that's great BUT it’s up to YOU to increase the percentage you’re saving. This year, you can save a maximum of $15,500 if you're under age 50. So, stop by your HR department and ask how you can increase your contribution today.

September 20, 2007 Today's FinishRich Tip: Emergency Funds Are Essential

Did you know that the average American has less than one month's worth of expenses set aside? With so little in savings for an emergency, it's no wonder personal bankruptcies have reached record highs in recent years. The best way to protect yourself from the financial uncertainties of life is by building a cushion of money for emergencies. Don't use your checking account. Instead, I recommend opening a separate high-interest savings account. Check your bank's current rates or go online to sites like emigrantdirect.com or ingdirect.com. Make the savings process automatic by having part of your paycheck deposited directly into your emergency account.

September 19, 2007 A Special Announcement from David Bach

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**THE FINISHRICH NEWSLETTER**
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1. Hello and welcome from David Bach
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Dear FinishRich Friends and Community Members,

I’m really thrilled to be sending out this month’s newsletter because it contains three big announcements that I just can’t wait to share with you. But first…

I hope you all had a great summer.  It went by so quickly and although it’s sad to say so long to the warm weather and relaxation, I’m looking forward to welcoming in the new Fall season. And I hope you are too.

I love this time of year.  The air just seems to be filled with inspiration and new possibilities. It’s the ideal time to take a step back and evaluate how you’re doing, money-wise. Take this opportunity to re-visit that list you put together back in January. Whether your goals were to get out of credit card debt, max out your 401(k) plan or start saving for your child’s college education, now is the perfect time to measure what you’ve accomplished so far—and what you still need to work on.

If you’re not exactly where you want to be—or feel you should be, I’ve got three new programs that are really going to help you.  So continue reading for all the details—I hope they inspire you to take action this Fall and make measurable progress on your financial goals for 2007.

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2. Introducing The Automatic Money Manager- My New Solution for Keeping Track of Your Finances- Try it FREE for 30 days
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You're going to love this new program that I put together. The Automatic Money Manager is a highly secure, online tool that basically provides you with a dashboard of all your financial accounts. By viewing your daily, itemized transactions, you can automatically track all of your money--including revenue coming in and expenses being paid out.

It also allows you to pay your bills online and get an instant snapshot of your net worth--all at the click of a button.

While I wish I could sit down with each and every one of you personally and help you on the path to financial freedom, that just isn't realistic.  But, what I can do is offer you the best tools and resources out there to make sure that you are able to achieve financial success!

As part of the FinishRich Community, you're invited to be among the first to try The Automatic Money Manager. The 30 Day trial is absolutely FREE. If you like it so much that you decide to continue beyond the trial, you'll also get a 20% discount off your first bill.

This online program (there's no software to download) gives you access to your accounts any time, anywhere--even on your mobile device. Use it to
automatically:

- Pay yourself first
- Track all of your purchases
- Manage your credit card spending
- Pay off your debt
- Find your Latte Factor
- Plan for retirement
- And so much more!

Don't wait any longer to take control of your finances. Click here to Start Today!

And be sure to let us know how you like it. We value your opinion and look forward to hearing what you think. Click here to send us an email with your feedback.

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3. Come Visit My New Members Only Site at MyFinishRich.com and Get Your 14-Day Free Trial
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I'm really proud of this new resource site that we've developed. The site is packed with amazing tools in many different areas including: Personal finance, real estate, the stock market, entrepreneurship, and e-commerce.

As a member of MyFinishRich.com, you'll get access to all of the latest resources in each area. You'll also be invited to our weekly group coaching calls with one of my FinishRich coaches. You'll be learning from the best with other like-minded individuals who have similar goals for their future.

You'll also be invited to a monthly call with me. That's right, every month the group will get together with me on a conference call where I'll be addressing a variety of timely topics and taking your questions--all Live!

If you sign up NOW you'll get a FREE 14 day trial period! Visit MyFinishRich.com to become a member.

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4. The FinishRich Coaching Program is HERE!
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FinishRich Coaching Program has finally launched!  Start your one-on-one coaching TODAY and change your life forever! 

Click here to enroll in the FinishRich Coaching Program, you'll be working with one of my highly trained FinishRich coaches. You'll get personalized mentoring with a focus on specific solutions for your personal financial needs.

Your coach will hold you accountable for staying on track as they guide you through the program with all the information, motivation and encouragement that you'll need for success.

In addition, you'll also have access to the FinishRich Coaching Success Center. You're going to love these tools. When you log on you'll get amazing resources, videos, weekly group coaching calls, and so much more - - including a monthly, live coaching call with Yours Truly.

Sign up here for more information on how to enroll. Once you submit your contact information, one of our FinishRich advisors will call you personally to explain all the details and help you determine if one-on-one coaching is right for you.

So, there you have it. Three new programs to officially kick off an amazing Fall season! And one other quick announcement. We'll now be adding our newsletter content to my blog- subscribe to the RSS feed today to get quick and easy access to new postings, including my newsletter.

Until next time...

Live and Finish Rich,

David Bach and The FinishRich Team

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To subscribe to our newsletter and join our community, please visit www.davidbach.com/inc/register.php This email was written and produced by David Bach and FinishRich Media. 

Copyright 2007 FinishRich Media

September 19, 2007 Today's FinishRich Tip: Tax Credits for Energy Conservation

Saving money feels good. Saving money and saving energy feels great! Did you know the government offers a tax credit when you make your home more energy efficient? If you invest in energy-saving windows, doors, heating systems, insulation or other highly efficient systems in 2006 or 2007, Uncle Sam will help you pay for them with a special energy tax credit of up to $500.

Be sure energy-saving improvements are installed before January 1, 2008. Learn more about the special "Section 25C credit" at IRS.gov.

September 18, 2007 Today's FinishRich Tip: Foreclosure Help

Have you heard the public service announcements aimed at homeowners who are having trouble paying their mortgage? This nationwide campaign took root after a study showed that 61 percent of delinquent borrowers don't know that they can get help from their lender if they’re falling behind on their mortgage.

The ads encourage borrowers in need not to ignore their mortgage issues and to either reach out to their lender or to go online and visit ForeclosureHelpandHope.org. The tagline for the campaign: Nothing is worse than doing nothing. If you need foreclosure help, please check out the website and take action today.

September 17, 2007 Today’s FinishRich Tip: Another Way to Save Big on Your Car Insurance

Here’s a tip for anyone who has a child attending college away from home!  If your son or daughter is covered under your car insurance policy, yet they don’t take their car with them while they’re away at school, give your car insurance carrier a call today to find out if you’re entitled to a lower rate. Liz, part of our team here at FinishRich, called Geico after dropping her daughter off for her freshman year away and ended up saving $400 on her annual premium. That’s a great deal and the phone call only took about five minutes. So make your call today…good luck!

The Millionaire Inside on CNBC

Last night I taped The Millionaire Inside at CNBC Headquarters with Phil Town, Loral Langemeier and Barbara Corcoran.  First, thanks to all of you that came out and took part in the Live studio audience.  You really helped to make the night exciting and keep the energy going throughout the entire taping.  There was never a dull moment with the four of us on stage and all of our varying views on how to achieve financial success.  You will find that I share not only how you can FinishRich, but how I actually ended up where I am today.  What tricks I found worked best for me and the strategies that I still apply now.  The end result is a truly dynamic show that is full of information and tips to help you to find your Millionaire Inside!

If you aren't around this Sat. night at 9pm EST to catch the premiere, the show will also be airing on Sunday at 10am EST and 1pm EST.   

Here are some photos from last night!

   

Here we are on stage-  The set was amazing.

The audience was great

Me, Loral, Phil and Barbara after the taping! 

$250,000 Grand Prize Take The Challenge™ Essay Contest winner

Congratulations to Vicente Adame and his family!  Vicente is the $250,000 Grand Prize Take The Challenge™ Essay Contest winner.  His entry was one of 21,000 unique entries submitted.  With this in mind, I want to thank all of you that participated.  Each and every essay was reviewed and each and every essay represented the true meaning behind The Great American Homeowner Challenge™. 

I have to say that giving the check to Vicente and seeing how grateful he and his wife, Jennifer, were when it was presented to them really reminded us all that the American Dream really can come true.  While there are so many inspiring stories, Vicente shows us how owning a home truly can build the foundation for financial security.  His story begins in Mexico, where his home consisted of one small room that he shared with his family.  There was no running water, electricity, and had a dirt floor.  Today, life is different for Vicente and his family.  Hard work and determination has helped him to purchase homes and give back to his family.

On March 30,  myself and the Wells Fargo team surprised Vicente and his wife at the Chateau Hotel and Conference Center in Bloomington, IL.  As you can imagine, there was not a dry eye in the room.  We wish Vicente and his family all the best and thank those of you that participated in the contest.  I have attached some pictures from the day.  Enjoy!

 

Learning Annex Tour Kickoff Weekend!

I just came back from kicking off my tour in Atlanta with The Learning Annex Real Estate & Wealth Expo and wanted to share some photos and highlights from the weekend!  This weekend was truly an amazing experience and I can not encourage you enough to attend.  After my speech on Sat. morning I spent the rest of the afternoon, and most of the day on Sunday, listening to speakers and walking through the exhibit hall.  As an audience member I really had the chance to understand exactly what the event entails and can definitely say that it is a Weekend Wealth Building Expo!  I enjoyed meeting so many of you from the Atlanta area and thank you for taking the time to share your success stories with me in person.  My goal is to not only help you Live and Finish Rich financially, but in all aspects of your life!  Register today!  I look forward to seeing you there!  Click here for location and registration details.

Me with Tony Robbins and Bill Zanker (President of The Learning Annex)

What a crowd!

 

A Wonderful Whirlwind of A Media Tour!

I hope that everyone had a great Holiday Season and an enjoyable New Year!  The end of 2006 was incredibly exciting and the beginning of 2007 has started off much the same way!  As many of you may know, I taped a PBS Special The Automatic Millionaire which aired on stations across the U.S.  It was great to have the opportunity to travel the country and meet first hand all of the amazing individuals that help make local PBS stations such a success- especially all of the volunteers in the phone banks!  I hope that you were able to catch the show and found it both useful and enjoyable.  Also,  if did not get the chance to take advantage of the great value on The Learning Annex Real Estate and Wealth Expo ticket packages that were available, you can click here and receive special Finishrich.com VIP rates.  Truly- this is an event that the whole family should attend. 

Below I have posted pictures that I took at some of the stations that I visited.  The tour began at PBA in Atlanta, GA and ended at WETA in Washington, DC.  Enjoy!

Alicia Steel, Host of PBA in Atlanta, GA

Kurt Mendelsohn, Producer of KQED in San Francisco, CA

Chris Fennimore and Nancy Polinsky, Hosts of WQED in Pittsburgh, PA

Patrick Stoner and Ed Cunningham, Hosts of WHYY in Philadelphia, PA

Rhea Feikin and JoAnn Williams, Hosts of MPT in Baltimore, MD

John Begeny, Executive Producer of WETA in Washington, DC

Thank you to all of you that support your local Public Broadcasting Station and I look forward to seeing you at The Learning Annex Real Estate and Wealth Expo!  Be sure to say hello!

How to Get a Line of Credit When You Don't Have a Credit Score

The couples that we worked with during the Debt Diet Series are all making such amazing progress. And what's even more exciting is that we hear from so many of our community members who are following the debt diet themselves and making unbelievable progress.

If you're following along, don't forget to check out some of the great tools over on Oprah's website.

We also have an ongoing Q and A on a variety of different topics. Read my latest posting on credit reports and credit scores.

Here's Our Day with Habitat for Humanity

FinishRich Media sponsored the renovation of this Bronx apartment building - the future home for eight families. We were honored to be able to also spend the day actually helping Habitat for Humanity NYC to put up new walls and put down new floors. What a great experience - enjoy the video.

Thank you to a Special Group of Community Members

Last month we announced our Habitat for Humanity contest via our newsletter.  Once again I'm reminded how amazing this community really is. We had an overwhelming response and ended up choosing 7 very special members of the FinishRich Community to join us at our Habitat for Humanity Build in the Bronx last week. I want to send a huge thank you out to Deena Sullivan, Matthew Dufner, Molly Mansur, Jacqueline Morillo, Rachel Stigler, Michael Piza, Jacqui Stafford, and . You all worked so hard and it meant so much to me to have you there. Thank you for helping us make a difference.

Below are their winning stories. To view photos of our day with Habitat for Humanity, click here.

And the winners are ~

Deena Sullivan: Home. Hearth. Shelter. My childhood brims with memories of happy times in our warm home. But for millions of Americans affordable and safe housing is a seemingly impossible dream. Currently, over 1.3 million children are homeless.

I’ve spent time working in a Romanian orphanage. Many children were there because their parents couldn’t provide shelter. It was an amazing, heart-twisting experience. I’m a dynamic leader, a good-natured follower and always focused on doing the best job possible. As part of your team I will bring an enthusiastic, compassionate spirit and some comic relief.

It would be a sincere privilege to work with your team to help a family reach their goal of home ownership.

Michael Piza: I would love the opportunity to give back to the Bronx community and work with your team. I am salesman for a freight transportation company and my territory includes the Bronx. When I read your offer I was excited and thought I would jump at the opportunity to give back the community in this way. 

My father has always told me that when something good happens to you make sure you turn around and do something good for some one less fornate, and this would be a great chance to do just that.

Molly Mansur and Matthew Dufner: Working with your team on the Habitat For Humanity project would be an honor for my husband and me. My Mother passed away on June 8, 2006 just two weeks before our wedding. One thing that is helping me heal is doing things that I know my Mom would be proud of, like not canceling our wedding and donating money to a cause that supports women. It’s my goal for years to come to continue to do good acts in her honor, and helping to build homes for others would definitely make her proud. I hope you will consider my husband and me to be a part of your team on September 16^th.

Jacqueline Morillo: I’m 24 years old and was born and raised in N.Y.C. I’ve always been interested in Habitat for Humanity but haven’t had the chance to pursue it. When my mother sent me the August 16, 2006 edition of the FinishRich Newsletter, I thought to myself “this is it”! I would LOVE the opportunity to volunteer my time and efforts to benefit my community while having the potential to learn something new. It would be an honor to be chosen as one of the few who can experience such a great sense of accomplishment and pride in a job well.

Rachel Stigler: Everyday I am confronted by homelessness and poverty and I feel HELPLESS. I know that working with Habitat would be a wonderful way to help those in need and would initiate a long-term relationship with the organization. I study architecture at Columbia and I would love to get some hands-on experience while helping the people of my community.  I know that I have a lot to offer, in terms of hard work and a good heart, and a day of giving would be just as beneficial for me as it will be for those occupying those new Bronx apartments.

Jacqui Stafford: Your book inspired me so much, I bought 20 copies and sent them to all my friends!  As the Style Director of Shape Magazine who's been lucky enough to live all over the world, I've been incredibly blessed. And since I read your book, I've been a huge believer in giving back to the community. I now do everything from teaching English to Spanish adults in Harlem, to painting schools in Brooklyn! It would be an honor to join you with your cause.

Home Is Where The Cash Is

Watch the webcast: Home Is Where The Cash Is and catch a glimpse of my May 19th appearance on ABC's 20/20.  See as I coach two couples who are renters on how to become homeowners! In less then two months, two renters who never thought they could buy a home are reaching their dreams.

20/20 toured with me during The Great American Homeowner Challenge Tour.  They saw firsthand, and you will to, how powerful it can be to build wealth through homeownership.

Click the webcast Home is Where The Cash Is here to watch the video.

Saving For Your Child's College Education

Read my recent interview on CNN's American Morning with Soledad and Miles O'Brien and get some great tips on saving for your child's college eduction, buying a home and reducing your double latte factor. 

Click here to read the complete interview transcript.

See Me On CNN And 20/20 This Month

Next Monday, May 15th at 9:00 am EST, catch me on CNN American Morning as I talk about personal finance and how to plan for your future at any age.

Also, on Friday, May 19th, tune in to ABC's 20/20 and watch as I teach two families how to become homeowners.

Take Action Against Rising Energy Prices

We're all feeling the pain as oil prices continue to hit record highs. We're feeling the pinch at the pump from this staggering increase as gas prices skyrocket nationally to average around $2.90 per gallon.

So if you're an average driver, you're now spending some $57 to fill your tank with gas, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). That's an increase of more than a dollar a gallon compared with two years ago. The average U.S. household will spend nearly $3,200 on gasoline this year. How's your household looking?

And it's not just gas prices that are skyrocketing, it's all forms of energy. When energy prices go up, we tend to sit idle and hope they will go down. But there's nothing in the foreseeable future to suggest that prices will go down this time around. Global demand for oil and gas is beyond anything the world has ever seen. That, coupled with the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, suggests that it's time to really look at what we spend on energy -- both at the gas pump and at home -- and cut back.

So you can complain, which millions are doing, but this won't help your finances at home. Or you can get going fast on a proactive plan to cut the cost of your fuel and energy bills. My most recent Yahoo! column covers Ten Ways to Protect Yourself from High Energy Prices - both on the road and at home. I've included some really great resources you can use in order to do some simple shopping around for a better deal. A little belt tightening could save you hundreds of dollars, if not more, by the end of the year. Click here to read the full article .

Should You Buy A Home Now?

See my recent interview on CBS's "Eye on the Bay" program in San Fransisco and learn why investing in real estate will help you finish rich.

Click the May 1 segment here to watch the video.

Happy May Day!

May is a special month.  Besides it being May Day and the month of Mother's Day, there is a palpable energy of optimism, progress, and growth in the air.  Cherry blossoms are in bloom, people are happy that it is finally Spring, and people everywhere are taking their first steps to buying a new home -- that's right, it's home-buying season again! 

First let me say congratulations to all of you current homeowners out there.  If you've read my new book, The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner, then you know that I believe that the smartest investment you will likely ever make is in a home.  You are already on your way to building real wealth through home ownership. And soon, if you haven't already, I hope you'll be looking into a second home or investment properties to help grow your wealth.

If you are just getting started this home buying season and are considering going from renting to buying -- then you are on the right track too.  If you don't have my book yet, you can read my free chapter downloads on Yahoo! (click here) and it will get you even more motivated and help guide you along your journey.

And if you still haven't made the decision yet to become a homeowner, then I strongly suggest you read these free chapter downloads and if you like what you see -- read the entire book.  You won't be sorry.  It will show you how you can create real wealth through home ownership and hopefully it will inspire you to take action.

As I say in my book, you have to live somewhere right!  You may as well be the one getting rich, rather than paying someone else who is getting rich off of you.

While you are thinking, or perhaps shopping at open houses -- get outside and enjoy Spring!  As always if you have comments or success stories you can submit them at www.finishrich.com.